We recently had the chance to connect with Evgeniya Garza and have shared our conversation below.
Evgeniya , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Spending time with my family and friends.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Evgeniya Garza. I’m a visual artist, storyteller, and creative soul based in Texas. My journey began in the Russian Far East, where I spent countless hours drawing fairy-tale characters and dreaming of faraway lands. Life brought me to the U.S., and after years of personal transformation, motherhood, and running a preschool, I returned fully to art — not just as a craft, but as a way to process, reflect, and connect.
Through my paintings, I explore the metaphors of inner growth, memory, and resilience. My current series, Mechanisms and Metaphors, delves into symbolic imagery like keys, doors, maps, and time — themes that reflect the universal search for meaning, healing, and self-discovery.
I’m also the co-founder of Academic Houston Appliance Repair, a small family-run business built on trust and integrity. Both my art and my business share a common thread: the desire to create something meaningful and lasting.
Today, I continue to paint, exhibit, and connect with others through storytelling — because I believe art can touch the soul and remind us of who we truly are.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
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There wasn’t one defining event, but rather a gentle unfolding shaped by my early life. I grew up in Russia, where I was raised with strong values, deep family ties, and a natural connection to culture and storytelling. From an early age, I was a very sensitive and empathetic child — I could sense the emotions of others as if they were my own.
One of the most influential people in my early life was my first teacher. She nurtured my curiosity and creativity, and believed in me at a time when that belief meant everything. Her kindness and encouragement helped me feel seen and valued.
This foundation — combined with my emotional sensitivity — shaped the way I see the world today. I notice beauty in quiet moments, I move through life with compassion, and I strive to reflect truth and feeling through my art. It’s a perspective rooted in care, attentiveness, and the belief that even small moments hold meaning.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
For a long time, I believed that failure meant I wasn’t good enough — that it was a sign to stop or change direction entirely. But after experiencing a deep personal and creative failure — one that shook my confidence — I realized that failure is not the end. It’s part of the creative and human process.
That experience taught me to redefine what “failure” means. Now I see it as a lesson, a necessary shedding of what no longer serves, and a chance to build something stronger and more authentic. I didn’t stop creating. Instead, I became more honest in my work and more compassionate with myself.
Failing hard made me trust my path more deeply — even when it’s uncertain, even when it’s slow. It taught me that growth often hides in the rubble
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
One cultural value I protect at all costs is the value of family — not just in name, but in the deep, daily practice of love, loyalty, and presence. I grew up in a home where family meant everything. It wasn’t about perfection — it was about being there for each other, especially when life was messy or hard.
Now, as a mother and wife, I carry that forward with intention. I believe family is where we first learn empathy, respect, and responsibility — values that ripple out into the world. No matter how busy or uncertain life gets, I prioritize emotional closeness, open conversations, and shared rituals that remind us we belong to each other.
In every culture, family is the root — and for me, it’s sacred. It’s the one place I always return to, and the one value I will never compromise.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I think I’ll always regret if I never swim with dolphins. It may sound simple, but to me, it represents a moment of pure connection with nature — a childlike dream that never faded. There’s something magical about dolphins — their intelligence, their gentleness, the freedom they embody.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evgeniyagarza.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evgeniagarza/
